Sea Turtles at Princess Hotels Riviera Maya

The sea turtle nesting season in Riviera Maya begins on 1 May and ends on 31 October.

Of the eight species of sea turtles that exist in the world, four of them come to Quintana Roo: Hawksbill, Loggerhead, White and Leatherback.

At Princess Hotels Riviera Maya, we have seen two of these species: White and Loggerhead. 

Sea turtles are tropical animals, they need warm water (as they are cold blooded) and, for this reason, their favourite place is Playa del Carmen.

Did you know that during the turtle’s life cycle, when they first enter the sea, they swim for 24 hours without stopping? All so they can find deep water without predatory animals that could endanger their lives.

If you would like to find out more about sea turtles, click on this link:

https://www.princess-hotels.com/en/blog/water-activities-rivera-maya-turtle-discovery/ 

The turtle is a sacred animal for Mexicans, so if you are lucky enough to see one on the beach, remember to keep a distance of 10 metres, don’t turn on lights or torches and keep quiet, we don’t want to disturb their peace.

Mayan ceremony

Last Sunday 1 May, a Mayan ceremony was held in our hotels to welcome the start of the sea turtle nesting season. For the Mayans, the sea turtle is associated with water, earth and thunder. 

One of the Mayan deities is often depicted wearing a turtle shell on his head.

The welcoming ceremony was led by a Mayan shaman who reminded us of the importance of uniting with mother nature.

Sea turtles are a symbol of longevity, fertility and good luck, as elegant swimmers, they also represent freedom.

Remember…

During the nesting season, sea turtles look for a quiet and safe place at night to leave the most valuable treasure, the legacy of their life.

We therefore kindly request that you:

• Don’t litter 
• Don’t shine torches or lights on the turtles
• Heavy beach cleaning equipment and machinery should only be used during the day. 

They must be protected before they go extinct. Save the sea turtles.
If you love turtles, don’t hesitate to visit one of our hotels during the summer, you might get lucky! Always remember to respect them. Would you like to see them?

Categories: Caribbean, Lifestyle, Live Nature, Riviera Maya